Folks on the mainland are looking for the first hint of spring. Here we see signs of spring with the Waimea cherry blossoms and the tropical vireya rhododendrons showing color.
Most kamaaina are familiar with orchids and bromeliads, but they may not know that many vireya rhododendron species are found as epiphytes in the forest of Southeast Asia. The most spectacular display I have ever seen was on Mount Kinabalu in Borneo. The trees were festooned with red flowers. On closer examination it was not the trees in bloom, but epiphytic rhododendrons.
The advantage to vireyas is that they may also be grown in moist, organic media like the types found in the cloud forests and rain forests of the Big Island especially where hapuu are present. Many vireyas also grow in well-drained volcanic soils.
If you want to learn more about vireyas and their relatives, join the Hawaii Chapter of the Rhododendron Society, at their spring seminar, Feb. 21 and 22 at the Keaau Community Center and area gardens. Deadline for registration is Feb. 7. The two-day workshop will feature speakers from Washington state, Australia and California. Attendees will learn about this amazing group of plants from area growers and enthusiasts as well. Both days include lunch and a dinner barbecue. Topics will include plant hunting in Southeast Asia, propagation, growing and conservation of species. For registration details, contact Sherla Bertelmann at 966-9225 or Sbertelmann@hawaii.rr.com.
Vireya are native to Taiwan, the Malay Archipelago, New Guinea, the Philippines and Indonesia, stretching as far south as northern Australia. Vireya were named in honor of French natural historian Julien Joseph Virey, though it was John Veitch who became one of the earliest and most prolific collectors and hybridizers in the 19th century. Some hybrids are small plants and others grow into large shrubs. Flower colors vary from white, pink and red to yellow and orange. A booklet guide to growing these plants by Rachel Leyva is available at some area nurseries and garden shops.
Other epiphytes can be incorporated into a colorful air garden. Many species of orchids, ferns and bromeliads grow here. If you have a tree or lanai from which to hang pots, you can have flowers year-round. All it takes is common sense, water and fertilizer. When buying orchids and bromeliads, get healthy plants. Ask the grower or nursery worker about the particular species and its care. When grown in containers, they will require repotting every two or three years. To avoid repotting, many gardeners remove plants from pots and attach them to tree branches. Rough-barked trees such as ohia, paperbark, monkeypod and calabash work best.
Epiphytic ferns and cactuses may be also grown in pots or on trees. Be sure they have good drainage. Fertilize lightly every two to three months to keep plants in active growth. If plants are attached to trees, this is not required. Several brands of orchid fertilizer are available. They are satisfactory for other air plants as well. These are specially formulated and when used according to directions will give excellent results. Disease and insect problems are few. If they do occur, area garden supply dealers have natural fungicides and insecticides to quickly control the situation.
Give the air plants a try in your garden. Start with easy types of bromeliads such as Tillandias, Billbergias and Aechmeas. Staghorn and resurrection ferns are easy to grow, as well. Dendrobiums, Epidendrum and Oncidium orchids thrive with minimal care. From there, go to the more exotic Cattleya and moth orchids. Area nursery workers can give you ideas on the types to grow and ways to grow them.
Bromeliads, cactus and succulents may do with very little water or fertilizer. Ferns and orchids should be watered every few days and fertilized about once a month.
Some folks worry that insects may breed in the center of bromeliads, especially mosquitoes. That is why natural insect control with lizards, amphibians and birds makes good sense. Bacillus thurengiensis, var. israelensis, a natural control for mosquitoes, may be used. Encouraging mosquito eaters makes the garden more interesting. Anole lizards, Jackson’s chameleons and geckos add to the tropical magic of our gardens. Many common birds feed on insects, so including a bird feeder in the garden to attract them also adds benefit and beauty.
At 3,000 feet eleveation in the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, we have found that turning on a sprinkler during a dry winter day attracts native honeycreepers such as apapane looking for a bath. It will also attract Japanese bush warblers, cardinals, finches and other nonnatives that all come together for a colorful garden show.